Meatloaf Manwich with Spicy Chipotle Ranch Sauce

What are your plans for Father’s Day? I’m sure a big hearty breakfast, some homemade cards from the kids, and Dad’s favorite dinner are all part of the equation. But what about lunch? Why does everyone manage to skip over the meal that powers Dad through the remainder of the day? In our house Jon (a.k.a. Dad) will be receiving a ¨Manwich¨ on a plate, served with a kiss. How do I explain the Manwich? Ok, it’s really just a meatloaf sandwich, but it is the best gosh darn rootin’ tootin’ meatloaf sandwich he will ever eat in his life.

Extra thick slices of the best meatloaf in the world are carefully laid out on thick multigrain bread (or white bread if you’re shooting for the true classic), and topped with plenty of white onion slices, fresh lettuce, and a spicy chipotle ranch sauce. Replacing the typical mayo in the classic dish with this amazing chipotle sauce, made with Litehouse’s OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing, helps keep my conscience at bay as I serve up this humdinger of a meal. It may be enough to feed a small army, but at least I’ve left out the mayo!

Meatloaf

The men in my life tend to get nostalgic when served a meal that their mothers once provided. Memories of the ¨good old days¨ flood their brains, the days when families sat at the dinner table every night, and Mom served meatloaf at least once a week. Dinners were made with love, recipes passed down from previous generations, and the intent to turn little boys into strapping young men was essential. The best part of meatloaf night was seeing that manly sandwich sitting in their lunch box the following day. Cold, lukewarm, or piping hot… you simply can’t go wrong.

Build Your Manwich How Your Man Likes It!

So I am choosing the Meatloaf Manwich as my Father’s Day go-to lunch. Not only is it an extremely affordable meal, but if I play my cards right I get a dinner and lunch out of the deal!! No complaints will be heard when I serve this meatloaf up as is the night before Father’s Day; plenty of fluffy mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli will make sure of that. After hiding away the leftovers (if they are not hidden they will vanish before morning), I can surprise Jon with a true ¨Man’s Man¨ lunch. I suggest doubling the recipe and surprising all the men in your life with a sack lunch on Father’s Day. Grandfathers, fathers, step fathers, uncles… The old man next door! Let them know what you’ve made and maybe one of them will enjoy telling you about his own father, or his mother’s meatloaf. This is where I find my nostalgia. Knowing how many families sat around the table to dine on this very meal, how many children in the past have whined about it, how many mothers have listened to them, and how many dads have gotten the famous leftover sandwich. Father’s Day is not only about appreciating who you have now, but remembering the fathers of the past. This meal is the perfect way to honor their memories and gift those still here with a little nostalgia of their own.

Directions

2. In a small bowl combine the ½ c ketchup and Tabasco sauce. Set aside.

3. Place the bread slices in a bowl along with the milk and egg. Allow the bread to fully soak up the milk.

4. Cook the onion and garlic in a pan with olive oil until soft. Add to the bowl with the bread along with ¼ c ketchup, Worchestershire sauce, italian seasonings, salt and pepper. Stir to combine fully.

5. Gently mix in the ground chuck. Form the meat mixture into 2 loaves on a large baking sheet. Loaves should be about 2 inches tall at the max, this helps reduce cooking time.

6. Cover the loaves with the ketchup mixture you set aside.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

8. Serve meatloaf for dinner (make sure you set aside a few slices for lunch!) or turn the whole thing into amazing sandwiches!

Make the Sandwich:

1. In a small bowl combine the OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing with the chopped chipotle (for minimal heat just add a tsp of the Adobo sauce from the can of peppers).

2. Build your sandwich how your man likes it and top with plenty of the Chipotle Ranch Sauce.